Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program Report
For the Period April 1, 2004, to March 31, 2005

The ISAP Program assisted one hundred seventy-nine (179) new clients during the ISAP year 2004-2005. In addition, we helped eighteen (18) more clients with Intent to Land status. These clients come from forty-three (43) countries. The countries of origin for these clients are Argentina, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Brazil, Burma, Chechnya, Chile, China, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, El Salvador, England, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Honduras, Hungary, India, Ireland, Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sierra Leone, Slovak Republic, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, United States of America, and Vietnam. The immigration categories are Refugees, Family Class, Independent Class, Assisted Relative and Live-in Caregivers. According to our records, 80% of the newcomers are primary migrants and 20% are secondary migrants.

Settlement services were provided to five hundred seven (507) previous and returning clients from forty-one (41) countries during this ISAP year. The countries of origin are Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Burma, Burundi, Chile, China, Chechnya, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Jamaica, Japan, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam.

One thousand nine-hundred fifty-two (1,952) services were provided to new, previous and returning clients in the areas of immigration, reception, citizenship, ESL, OHIP registration, SIN application, job search and résumé writing, job bank, computer and internet skills, application for landing, independent class, family class sponsorship, foreign-trained professional information, passport renewal, internet access, income tax returns, pension, community resources, general information, bank information, employment, passport renewal, employment counseling, translation and interpretation, referral, advocacy, needs assessment, information and orientation.

Workshops and Information Sessions:

A total of 25 sessions of workshops or information/group sessions were conducted during the year which covers the following:

• Six sessions of Drivers preparation course which was conducted once a week to prepare  new immigrants to write their beginner drivers test
• Information session on Infant and Child Care for new immigrant mothers
• Two separate evenings of Income Tax Clinics coordinated by the Chartered Accountants Association of Ontario with volunteers from different accounting agencies in the city helping 127 low-income immigrants file their income tax returns.
• Information session on Family Law Clinic
• Workshop on Effective Parenting sponsored by Our Kids Count
• Information session on Financial Planning
• Information session on Victims of Torture
• Nine sessions of Citizenship Preparation course
• Job Search Workshops

Professional Development:

TBMA settlement workers completed  on-line computer course (Excel Expert) funded by OCASI.. In addition settlement workers attended:

• PET In-House Training on Victims of Torture and Trauma, Post Traumatic Disorder, Compassion Fatigue and other related topics on March 23, 2005
• Pre-Natal Campaign Launch at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit
• Information session on Social Housing
• Information session conducted by CIC Officer regarding CIC website and other related information
• Information session on role of  Ontario Ombudsman
• Information session on YES Employment

Newcomers Package:

The ISAP Program compiled information for newcomers in a package format containing information from various organizations that provide services to newcomers. The packages were given to clients on their first visit to the agency as part of settlement services and during information sessions.  Newcomers Packages aare regularly updated by settlement workers to ensure newcomers receive relevent and useful information.

Contents include the following brochures: Thunder Bay Public Library;  Employment Standards Act; Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Programs; How to Become a Canadian Citizen; CIC Access Centre, Gathering Information; Health Care Information; Government of Canada Website; Thunder Bay Multicultural Association; Thunder Bay Adventure Vacation Guide; Thunder Bay Visitors Map; Welcome to Canada (Travelers Guide- CIC publication); Information for Tenants; New to Ontario Settlement .Org; Thunder Bay Visitors Magazine; Immigrant Health Issues (Winter in Thunder Bay); Your Rights at Work; Where to go for Help - Helpful Telephone Numbers; Fact Sheets (Are You a Newcomer to Canada); Community Information and Referral Centre; List of Employers who hire newcomers in Thunder Bay; A Newcomers Introduction to Canada; TBMA Host Program; Newcomer Registration Form; Employment Insurance; CIC Call Centre; Have you been laid off?; Legal Rights Handbook; Old Fort William Historical Park; Social Assistanc; Gateway to the North; Amethyst Mine Panorama.

In addition, families with children received Every Childs Legal Right to Education; Your Childs Teeth; OHIP coverage for children born in Canada; Taking time off work for new and expecting parents. Refugees also received fact sheets published by the Immigration and Refugee Board: Your Status as Permanent Resident; Medical and Dental Care for Refugee Claimants; Immigrant Women and Domestic Violence; Arrest and Detention.

Back to Programs and Services Report 2004/2005

Back to Annual Report 2004/2005